Other Notices

-0.14797951.508720W1J 5LJFinancial Services and Markets Act 2000The City of Westminster-0.11206251.524505EC3A 7ANW1J5LJEC3A7AN2003-03-07WC2A2LL2003-03-252003-02-24The London Borough of Islington-0.11371651.514145WC2A 2LLTSO (The Stationery Office), St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1PD, 01603 622211, customer.services@tso.co.uk253862301/1502301/150

Claim No. 1324 of 2003

In the High Court of Justice

Chancery Division

Companies Court

In the Matter of Part VII of the Financial Services and

Markets Act 2000

and in the Matter of

(1) HSBC BANK MIDDLE EAST
(2) HSBC REPUBLIC BANK (UK) LIMITED
(3) HSBC BANK PLC

Applicants

Take notice that, on 24th February 2003, an application was made to the High Court, under section 107 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “Act”) and pursuant to the Regulations made under the Act, for inter alia an order under section 111(1) of the Act sanctioning a scheme for the transfer of the banking business carried on by the London Branch of HSBC Bank Middle East to HSBC Bank plc and to HSBC Republic Bank (UK) Limited, together with such other orders, including ancillary orders pursuant to section 112 of the Act, as shall be thought fit.

HSBC Bank Middle East is a chartered company, incorporated in England and Wales, with registration number ZC000049, with its London branch at 27 Hill Street, London W1. HSBC Bank plc is a public company, incorporated in England and Wales with registration number 14259. HSBC Republic Bank (UK) Limited is a private company incorporated in England and Wales with registration number 499482. HSBC Bank plc is a direct subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc and HSBC Republic Bank (UK) Limited and HSBC Bank Middle East are indirect subsidiaries of HSBC Holdings plc.

The application (Claim No. 1324 of 2003) will be heard on 25th March 2003 before the Applications Judge at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL. Any person, including any employee of any of the three banks, who alleges that he would be adversely affected by the carrying out of the scheme is entitled to be heard (either personally or through counsel) on the application. Any person who intends, so to appear, should give not less that 2 clear days’ notice in writing of such intention and of the reasons therefor to the solicitors named below.

A copy of the Scheme may be obtained, free of charge, from HSBC Bank Middle East, 27 Hill Street, London W1J 5LJ, during normal office hours (telephone: 020 750 5600; fax 020 7506 5647; e-mail: mideastlon@hsbc.com).

Norton Rose

Kempson House, Camomile Street, London EC3A 7AN

Ref: AA49246/MAC

Solicitors to the Applicants